The railway spirit is back – Nana Nketsia V

THE Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobinah Nketsia V, has lauded government for the 35 per cent salary increment granted railway workers.

Addressing members of the Railway Workers Union in Takoradi, he indicated that the initiative by the government has brought the railway spirit back.

“When l heard about the 35 per cent increase in the salary of railways workers, l was overwhelmed with joy. This was beyond amazement. I could not believe it.

“Can you imagine that now I’m told about holiday packages? When I heard that I was very happy that life is coming back to the railways.

“With just a year in office, I have seen a change in the railways, which has renewed the hope of the workers and now they are no more in a state of mourning.

“I now understand that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made a careful decision in choosing Joe Ghartey, an Essikado boy, as the Minister for Railways Development,” Nana Kobina Nketsia averred.

He urged the government to work harder to undertake the revamping exercise in good time to make railways the preferred means of transformation and stop the carnage on our roads.

“Look at the numerous accidents on our roads. Look at how bad our roads have become and you know some of the cars are not meant to ply them.

“So now it is very important that we all support government to revamp the rail as it would take a chunk of the load off our roads”, the paramount chief said.

“We can’t afford to let this country down; it goes against the spirit of Africa… Anyone who loves Ghana must be behind the railways, especially this union”.

Nana Nketsiah V entreated the workers’ union to remain resolute in the drive towards changing the fortunes of the sector.
According to him, the Railways Workers’ Union embodies the destiny of Ghana, hence “if the union fails, Ghana also fails, for there is nothing more important than the Ghana Railways Workers Union”.

It will be recalled that barely a year ago, the outspoken paramount chief, at a meeting with workers of the Ghana Railways Company Limited, gave the Minister two years to change the face of the railways sector or risk forcing him to lead a demonstration for his dismissal.

It would be recalled that prior to the coming into office of the current government, railway workers embarked on a series of strikes over salary arrears.

ABOUT: Nana Kwesi Coomson

A Freelance Journalist, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist. Editor-in-Chief of www.233times.com. A contributory writer for Ghanaian Chronicle Newspaper. An alumnus of Adisadel College where he read General Arts. He holds first degree in Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ghana; Political Science (major) and History (minor). He has also pursued MSc Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Energy with Public Relations (PR) at the Robert Gordon University in the United Kingdom. His mentors are Rupert Murdoch, Warren Buffet, Sam Jonah, Kwaku Sakyi Addo and Piers Morgan